Why the British Police service needs reform

 

Things have moved on since then -

Or have they?

The 1926 General Strike saw an important agreement made afterwards, that the Police service would not strike.

For that agreement, to continue to serve, keeping of the peace and prevention of the disturbance without recourse to withdrawal of labour, has ensured that the service has perhaps not been subject to the level of restriction against things like labour conditions and performance agreements that may have been foisted onto other organisations.

But has that meant that reform of the service by past governments has been limited and changes to the service, perhaps not as far reaching or definitive as hoped, have been in the past watered down to appease the non-striking body?

Whilst representation of the staff members of the Police Federation is something that should be preserved, the federation does wield power. And in the past has managed to strongly argue for what it will or will not accept.

The Police Community Support Officers-

A wasted opportunity for greater efficiency?

One of the recent innovations to policing, the introduction by David Blunkett of the Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) was worthwhile, but the concept was watered down perhaps.

This could have been an opportunity for two tier policing, allowing a front line operational deployment of federated staff, but backed up with a wider tranche of PCSO staff with a limited remit but with power of arrest.

In essence, the PCSO would do a lot of the ordinary work such as patrolling, statement taking and the like, which would free up the other officers for targeting of criminals and preventative crime work.

The PCSO's would have provided vital boots on the ground as an integrated part of visible policing. The fact they are not equipped to operate in a more fulfilled role in my view has been a mistake. It also means that their role is less fulfilling and perhaps job satisfaction would be greater with more scope for a more comprehensive nature of their remit.

Some officers see the Special Constable as little more than being 'hobby police.' Although this is not the case with all. The Special Constable is a volunteer and largely only available because they give their spare time.

With policing cuts, the Specials have been in demand more. Often being used to try and fill the gaps in operational policing, particularly on night shifts.

The nature of crime is changing -

technology allows foreign criminals to operate in the UK, remotely from abroad

Crime is now no longer what happens on our streets. Cyber crime, whether by computer fraud, hacking or email scams is big business, often by foreign criminals and terrorists is a reality that affects UK citizens.

The police service has to change and evolve to meet the demands of maintaining law and order in this new age.

So, there has to be a new way forward, where the government of the day protects the livelihood of the police officer but at the same time, is on a more 'working' basis, not a confrontational one, without the General Strike carrot and stick fall back position?

We frequently get the 'there is no money' and 'budgetary restraints' arguments when politicians orate. This is no excuse anymore, not when we waste billions in 'foreign aid' payments. It is time to start reinvesting in the UK infrastructure and that includes the Police, Fire, Ambulance and Military services.

Basic income Guarantee would help provide volunteers to help the police service

With automation taking many jobs, Mark Carney the Bank of England Chief has recently predicted half of the 31 million UK work force will lose their jobs permanently to automation. This means the government must introduce a basic income payment.

Basic income would also allow others to volunteer and this would help efficiency in law and order provision. It would allow more Special Constables, whilst this influx might not sit well with some regular officers, what other answer is there except major investment by the government, rather than cuts to police numbers?

I served in the police service for seven and a half years and saw changes and cuts in my time. 'Lean' management practices have cut too far and there is nothing left to cut. If the UK has no money, politicians should ask why and then do something about it. Britain first, has to be the way forward if we want this country to be great again. 

We must not sacrifice the sanctity of law and order on the altar of bean counting, we need to take our country back, Brexit has started that ball rolling. We must now grasp this opportunity to reboot Britain, law and order and homeland security must be in that mix.